Package for pasta, machine and method for obtaining said package

ABSTRACT

A food package for pasta includes a soft bag ( 2 ) which contains a determined quantity of pasta ( 3 ) and has a weakened area ( 5 ) for the opening of the bag ( 2 ); the weakened area ( 5 ) has at least a pre-cut line ( 6 ) associated to elements ( 7 ) for breaking the bag ( 2 ) at the pre-cut line ( 6 ). The elements ( 7 ) for breaking the bag ( 2 ) include a tear-out bag ( 8 ) associated to the pre-cut line ( 6 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a food package for pasta and a machineand a method for obtaining said package.

In particular, the present invention relates to soft packages obtainedwith a plastic film, for instance made of polypropylene.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known that packages are formed starting from a continuouspolypropylene strip which is cut and wound on itself to constitute atubular bag. The opposite longitudinal edges of the case are sealed toeach other and one of the two ends of the tube is also closed bysealing.

Subsequently, after filling the package with a predetermined quantity ofpasta, the second end is also closed by sealing.

The main drawback of known soft packages, summarily described above, islinked to the final user's difficulty in opening the package withoutexcessively tearing the bag. Oftentimes, an excessive traction exertedon the edges of the seals causes the undesired breakage of a sizeableportion of the package which, consequently, is no longer suitable tocontain any unused pasta

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In this situation, the technical task constituting the basis of thepresent invention is to propose a food package for pasta which can beopened easily, without the risk of excessively tearing it.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a foodpackage for pasta in accordance with one or more of the claims from 1through 13.

Another object of the present invention is also to provide a machine anda method for obtaining said package.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a methodfor obtaining a food package for pasta as claimed in one or more of theclaims from 14 through 20.

Lastly, a further object of the present invention is to propose amachine for obtaining a food package for pasta as claimed in one or moreof the claims from 21 through 30.

The technical task and the specified objects are achieved by a machine,by a method and by a package having the characteristics set out in oneor more of the appended claims.

Purely by way of non limiting indicative example, the description shallnow be provided of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a foodpackage for pasta, of a machine and of a method for obtaining it,according to the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1 a-1 f show a succession of steps for obtaining a food packagefor pasta in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows the package of FIGS. 1 a-1 f, in an opening step;

FIGS. 3 a-3 f show a succession of steps for obtaining a food packagefor pasta in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 shows the package of FIGS. 3 a-3 f, in an opening step;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic elevation view of a machine for obtaining apackage for pasta in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the detail of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the detail of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the package for pasta accordingto the present invention is designated by the number 1.

The package 1 has (FIGS. 1 e, 1 f, 2, 3 e, 3 f and 4) a soft bag 2 madeof plastic film, preferably polypropylene, able to contain a determinedquantity of pasta 3.

The bag 2 has tubular shape closed at the end 4 a, 4 b and may assumeany dimension and shape. For example, in the accompanying figures, thebag 2 is suitable to contain short pasta and has substantially squaresection, save for its deformations due to the weight of the content, butthe present invention also refers to cylindrical or flattened,pillow-shaped packages to contain long pasta.

Advantageously, the package 1 has a weakened area 5 for opening the bag2 itself, preferably positioned at one of the ends 4 a, 4 b.

The weakening area 5 is defined by a pre-cut area 6, constituted by aplastically deformed portion of the bag 2, associated to means 7 forbreaking the bag 2 located at said line 6. More specifically, the means7 for breaking the bag 2 comprise a tear-out band 8 positioned along thedevelopment of the pre-cut area 6. According to an embodiment that isnot illustrated herein, the package 1 comprises two pre-cut lines 6 andthe tear-out band is positioned between said two lines 6.

The tear-out band 8 is constituted by a small strip 9, made oftraction-resistant material, sealed or glued on the bag 2.

According to the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the pre-cut line6 and the tear-out band 8 are positioned on the first end 4 a of the bag2 which has planar shape defined by the association of two oppositeportions 10 a, 10 b of the tubular bag 2 itself.

According to a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the pre-cut line 6extends around the tubular bag 2, to define a closed path. Inparticular, the pre-cut line 6 and the strip 8 extend on both oppositeportions 10 a, 10 b of the tubular bag 2, in such a way that the part ofthe package 1 positioned over the tear-out band 8 are totally separatedfrom the rest of the bag 2 during the opening operation (FIG. 2).

In accordance with a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thepre-cut line 6 extends only partially around the tubular bag 2, inparticular along only one of the two opposite portions 10 a, 10 b of thetubular bag 2 itself. In this case, FIG. 4, tearing off the strip 8causes the bag to be torn only on one side, without any sharp separationof the parts.

Advantageously, moreover, the package 1 is provided with adhesive means11 to hold the planar end 4 a against the bag 2.

Said adhesive means 11, in the form of an adhesive tab, also allow toclose the bag 1 even after the elimination of the tear-out band 8.

The package 1 is obtained by the method described below with referenceto a preferred embodiment of machine 12 able to carry it out (FIG. 5).

A continuous strip 13, preferably made of polypropylene, is fed, inknown fashion, along a predetermined path of advance P by appropriatemeans 14.

Means 15 for winding on itself a portion 13 a of continuous strip 13form the soft tubular bag 2 and, subsequently, separating means, knownin themselves, separate the tubular bag 2 from the continuous strip 13.

The opposite longitudinal edges of the portion 13 a wound in tubefashion are joined by means of sealing or gluing to at least one of thetwo ends 4 a; 4 b of the tubular bag 2 is sealed, to form a container.

Lastly, after filling the container with a determined quantity of pastaQ, the other end 4 b; 4 a is also closed.

Advantageously, the machine 12 further comprises a work station 16positioned along the predetermined path of advance P, to provide atleast pre-cut line 6 on the package 1 and to associate to the package 1the means 7 for breaking the bag 2 at said pre-cut line 6 before thewinding step.

More in particular, with reference to FIGS. 1 b and 3 b, the pre-cutline 6 is obtained on the strip 13 transversely to the predeterminedpath of advance P, whilst the means 7 for breaking the bag 2 areobtained applying to the continuous strip 13 the tear-out band 8oriented transversely relative to the predetermined path of advance P.

Preferably, the pre-cut 6 is effected simultaneously to the step ofassociating the means 7 for the breakage of the bag 2 to the continuousstrip 13.

For this purpose, the workstation 16 comprises (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) means17 for advancing the small strip 9 along a predetermined feedingdirection A traverse to the path of advance P of the strip 13 andtangential to said path P in a predetermined work area Z.

In particular, the means 17 for advancing the small strip 9 have avertical support frame 18 in which are mounted in overhang a reel holder19, whereon is wound the small strip 9, a plurality of pulleys 20arranged in series to the reel holder 19 along the direction of feedingA of the small strip 9 itself, at least a drive wheel 21 moved by amotor 22. The motor 22 is preferably a brushless electric motor.

The means of advance 17 further comprise a tensioning assembly 23,mounted in series to the reel holder 19 along the predetermineddirection of feeding A.

Preferably, as shown in the accompanying figures, the means 17 foradvancing the small strip 9 comprise two driving wheels 21 made ofTeflon®, mutually opposite and counter-rotating, between which passesthe small strip 9. The two wheels 21 are moved in synchrony by means ofappropriate gears connected to the motor 22. Advantageously, the twodrive wheels 21 are also movable between a position of mutual approachand a position of mutual separation, to allow the insertion of the smallstrip 9, for example during a reel change. Elastic means 24 hold the twodrive wheels 21 always in mutual contact, to prevent harmful slippageduring the unwinding of the small strip 9.

The tensioning assembly 23 has a lever 25, called dandy roll, hinged onthe frame 18 and a plurality of tensioning pulleys 26 rotatably mountedon the lever 25.

In proximity to the hinge point of the lever 25 to the frame 18 isinstalled a reel brake 27, which can be operated from the lever 25,which is movable between a machine idling position, in which itactivates the reel brake 27, to stop the unwinding of the reel itself,and a working position, in which it determines the release of the reelbrake 27 and allows the unwinding of the small strip 9. The presence ofthe lever 25 in the work position is detected by a proximity sensor 28operatively connected to the reel brake 27. The means of advance 17lastly comprise a sensor 29, for example a photocell, to signal thepresence of the small strip 9 in proximity to the drive wheel 21.

When the unwinding drive wheels 21 start functioning, they determine atensioning of the small strip 9 that stresses the lever 25 which inturn, activating the proximity sensor 28, determines the unlocking ofthe reel brake 27. During the unwinding operation, the tensioningassembly 23 not only commands the reel brake 27, but also keeps thesmall strip 9 tensioned both during the unwinding operation and duringmachine idling periods.

Downstream of the drive wheels 21, the work station 16 comprises asupport assembly 30 which sustains the small strip 9 in the work area Z,in which the path of advance P of the strip 13 and the direction offeeding A of the small strip 9 are tangential.

Preferably, as shown, the support assembly 30 comprises a belt 31 woundon pulleys 32 and having an active branch 33 aligned and tangential tothe direction of feeding A of the small strip 9. The active branch 33 isalso tangential to the path of advance P of the strip 13 and hencedefines the aforesaid work area Z.

The belt 31 is provided with openings 34 in communication with a vacuumchamber 35, to hold the small strip 9 on the active branch 33. To limitlosses and hence the power of the source of suction, known and not shownherein, which must draw a vacuum in the chamber 35, a belt 31 providedwith micro-holes is used.

Moreover, the active branch 33 has a velocity of advance V1 that exceedsthe peripheral velocity V2 of the drive wheels 21, so the small strip 9that exits the wheels 21 and is driven integrally with the belt 31, isalso tensioned in the work area Z.

A presser assembly 36, preferably with pneumatic actuation, thrusts thestrip 13 and the small strip 9 against the support assembly 30, todetermine the union of one on the other. In detail, the presser assembly36 comprises a presser element 37 movable between a position ofseparation from the support assembly 30 and a position of approach tothe support assembly 30, to close between it and the support assembly 30the small strip 9 and the strip 13 and press them against each other.

In the preferred embodiment, the presser element 37 has a sealingmachine 38, to apply the small strip on the strip 13 by heat sealing.

Alternatively, the small strip 9 has an adhesive surface brought incontact with the strip 13. In this case, the presser assembly 36determines the union of the adhesive surface of the small strip 9 withthe strip 13. The step of joining the small strip 9 to the strip 13 iscarried out by gluing.

The work station 16 also has means 39 for cutting the small strip 9,operative in the predetermined work area Z, to define the tear-out band8 on the strip 13. Said means 39 preferably act simultaneously with thepresser element 37.

Lastly, the work station 16 has a pre-cutting assembly 40 operativelyactive on the strip 13 in the predetermined work area Z, to obtain thepre-cut line 6.

The pre-cut assembly 40 comprises at least a cutter 41 orthogonal to thefeed path P and movable between a position of separation from thesupport assembly 30 and a position of approach to the support assembly30, to exert a pressure against the strip 13 and to obtain the pre-cutline 6.

Preferably, the presser assembly 36 is set side by side to thepre-cutting assembly 40 and integral therewith in the movement ofapproach to the support assembly 30 and of separation from the supportassembly 30.

The work station 16 presented herein allows to advance the small strip 9along the predetermined direction of feeding A transverse to the path ofadvance of the strip P, associate the small strip 9 to the strip 13,join the small strip 9 to the strip 13 and cut the small strip 9 todefine the tear-out band 8.

According to the embodiment of the package 1 to be obtained, the smallstrip 9 is applied along the entire width of the strip 13 (FIGS. 1 a-1 fand 2), and hence also the pre-cut line 6, or the strip 9 is appliedonly partially along the width of the strip 13 (FIG. 3 a-3 f and 4).

In the first case, the method of the invention allows to obtain thefinished package 1 according to the first embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 a-1 f and described above. In the second case, the package 1 isinstead obtained according to the second embodiment of FIGS. 3 a-3 f.

For this purposes, the means 39 for cutting the small strip 9 and thepre-cutting assembly 40 are movable parallel to the direction of feedingA of the small strip 9, to adjust the position of the pre-cut line 6 andthe length of the tear-out band 8.

Moreover, the work station 16 is mounted on an adjustment slide 42parallel to the path of advance P of the strip 13, to adjust theposition of the pre-cut line 6 and of the means 7 for breaking the bag 2along the longitudinal development of the strip 13. This operationtherefore allows to adjust the height of the position of opening of thefinished package 1.

The work station 16 is also provided with electronic control means, notillustrated, connected to the machine 12, to manage all operations inperfect synchrony. During the work cycle of the station 16, the machine12 must command the temporary arrest of the strip 13, to allow thecorrect positioning of the pre-cut 6 and the tear-out band 8.

Advantageously, lastly, the work station 16 can be disabled in such away that the machine 12 can also function as a traditional packagingmachine.

The invention achieves important advantages.

It should firstly be noted that the package according to the presentinvention is opened with ease with no danger of damaging it. The pre-cutline and the tear-out band assure that the package is torn along apre-determined portion. Said package can also be re-closed to preservethe unused pasta.

It should also be noted that the method of the present invention allowsto obtain the described package with extreme ease and speed.

Lastly, the machine of the invention is extremely simple and functional.

1. A food package for pasta, comprising: a soft bag (2) containing adetermined quantity of pasta (3) and having a weakened area (5) foropening said bag (2); characterised in that said weakened area (5) hasat least a pre-cut line (6) associated to means (7) for breaking the bag(2) at said pre-cut line (6).
 2. A package as claimed in claim 1characterised in that the means (7) for breaking the bag (2) comprise atear-out band (8).
 3. A package as claimed in claim 2 characterised inthat the tear-out band (8) is positioned along the development of saidat least one pre-cut line (6).
 4. A package as claimed in claim 2characterised in that it comprises two pre-cut lines (6) and in that thetear-out band (8) is positioned between said two lines (6).
 5. A packageas claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the tear-out band (8) isglued on the bag (2).
 6. A package as claimed in claim 2 characterisedin that the tear-out band (8) is sealed on the bag (2).
 7. A package asclaimed in claim 2 characterised in that the bag (2) has tubular shape,closed at the ends (4 a, 4 b) and in that the weakened area (5) ispositioned at one of said ends (4 a, 4 b).
 8. A package as claimed inclaim 7 characterised in that a first end (4 a) of said ends (4 a, 4 b)has planar shape defined by the association of two opposite portions (10a, 10 b) of the tubular bag (2); said at least one pre-cut line (6)being positioned on the first end (4 a); the tear-out band (8) beingpositioned along the development of said at least one pre-cut line (6).9. A package as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that it comprisestwo pre-cut lines (6) and in that the tear-out band (8) is positionedbetween said two lines (6).
 10. A package as claimed in claim 7characterised in that said at least one pre-cut line (6) extends aroundthe tubular bag (29 to define a closed path.
 11. A package as claimed inclaim 7 characterised in that said at least one pre-cut line (6) extendsonly partially around the tubular bag (2).
 12. A package as claimed inclaim 8 characterised in that said at least a pre-cut line (6) extendson one of said two opposite portions (10 a; 10 b) of the tubular bag(2).
 13. A package as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that said atleast one pre-cut line (6) extends on both said two opposite portions(10 a, 10 b) of the tubular bag (2), to define a closed path.
 14. Amethod for manufacturing food packages for pasta, comprising the stepsof: feeding a continuous strip (13) along a predetermined path ofadvance (P); winding a portion of the continuous strip (13) on itself toform a tubular bag (2); separating the tubular bag (2) from thecontinuous strip (13); closing at least one of the two ends (4 b; 4 a)of the tubular bag (2) to form a container; filling the container with adetermined quantity of pasta (Q); closing the other of said ends (4 a; 4b); characterised in that it also comprises the steps of: providing atleast a pre-cut line (6) on said package (1); and associating to thepackage (1) means (7) for breaking the bag (2) at said pre-cut line (6).15. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the pre-cutline (6) is provided on the continuous strip (13) before the windingstep.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that themeans (7) for breaking the bag (2) are associated to the continuousstrip (13) before the winding step.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 14,characterised in that the step of providing at least a precut line (6)is effected simultaneously with the step of associating the means (7)for breaking the bag (2).
 18. A method as claimed in claim 15,characterised in that the step of providing at least a pre-cut line (6)is effected by obtaining a pre-cut on the strip (13) that is transverseto the predetermined path of advance (P).
 19. A method as claimed inclaim 16, characterised in that the step of associating to the package(1) means (7) for breaking the bag (2) is effected applying to thecontinuous strip (13) a tear-out band (8) transversely relative to thepredetermined path of advance (P).
 20. A method as claimed in claim 19,characterised in that the step of applying to the continuous strip (13)the tear-out band (8) comprises the sub-steps of: advancing a smallstrip (9) along a predetermined direction of feeding (A9 transverse tothe path of advance of the strip (P); associating the small strip (9) tothe strip (13); joining the small strip (9) to the strip (13); cuttingthe small strip (9) to define the band (8).
 21. A machine formanufacturing food packages for pasta, comprising: means (14) foradvancing a continuous strip (13) along a predetermined path of advance(P); means (15) for winding a portion of the continuous strip (13) onitself to form a tubular bag (2); means for separating the tubular bag(2) from the continuous strip (13); means for closing at least one ofthe two ends (4 a; 4 b) of the tubular bag (2), to form a container;means for filling the container with a determined quantity of pasta (Q);and means for closing the other of said ends (4 b; 4 a); characterisedin that it further comprises a work station (16) positioned along thepredetermined path of advance (P), to obtain at least a pre-cut line (6)on said package (1) and to apply means (7) for the breakage of the bag(2) at said pre-cut line (6).
 22. A machine as claimed in claim 21,characterised in that the work station (16) comprises: means (17) foradvancing a small strip (9) along a predetermined direction of feeding(A); said predetermined direction of feeding (A) being transverse to thepath of advance (P) of the strip (13) and tangential to said path (P) ina predetermined work area (Z); a support assembly (30) for the strip (9)in said predetermined work area (Z); a pre-cutting assembly (40)operatively active on the strip (13) in said predetermined work area(Z), to obtain said at least one pre-cut line (6); a presser assembly(36) of the strip (13) and of the small strip (9) against the supportassembly (30), to join the small strip (9) to the strip (13); and means(39) for cutting the small strip (9), operative in the predeterminedwork area (Z), to form a tear-out band (8) on said strip (13) definingsaid means (7) for breaking the bag (2).
 23. A machine as claimed inclaim 22, characterised in that the means (17) for advancing the smallstrip (9) comprise: a reel holder (19) whereon is wound the strip (9); aplurality of pulleys (20) arranged in series to the reel holder (19)along the direction of feeding (A) of the small strip (9); at least adrive wheel (21); a motor (22) connected to the drive wheel (21); and anassembly (23) for tensioning the small strip (9), mounted in series tothe reel holder (19) along the predetermined direction of feeding (A);the means (17) for advancing the small strip (9) having a verticalsupport frame (19), the reel holder (19), the pulleys (20), said atleast one drive wheel (21) and the tensioning assembly (23) beingmounted in overhang on said frame (18).
 24. A machine as claimed inclaim 23, characterised in that the means (17) for advancing the smallstrip (9) comprise two opposite and counter-rotating drive wheels (21)between which passes the small strip (9); and elastic means (24) forholding the two drive wheels (21) always in contact with each other andprevent the sliding of the interposed small strip (9); said two oppositeand counter-rotating drive wheels being also movable between a positionof mutual approach and a position of mutual separation, to allow theinsertion of the small strip (9).
 25. A machine as claimed in claim 23,characterised in that the tensioning assembly (23) has: a lever (25)hinged on the frame (18) and a plurality of tensioning pulleys (26)rotatably mounted on said lever (25); the lever (25) being movablebetween an idle machine position, in which it activates a reel brake(27) to stop the unwinding of the reel, and a working position, in whichit determines the release of the reel brake (27); and a proximity sensor(28) operatively connected to the reel brake (27); said sensor (28)detecting the presence of the lever (25) in the working position, todeactivate the reel brake (27).
 26. A machine as claimed in claim 23,characterised in that the means (17) for advancing the small strip (9)further comprise a photocell sensor (29) to signal the presence of thesmall strip (9) in proximity to said at least drive wheel (21).
 27. Amachine as claimed in claim 24, characterised in that the supportassembly (309 comprises a belt (31) wound on pulleys (32) and having anactive branch (33) aligned and tangential to the direction of feeding(A) of the small strip (9); the belt (31) being provided with openings(34) in communication with a vacuum chamber (35), to hold the strip (9)on the active branch (33); the active branch (33) of the belt (31) havea velocity of advance (V1) exceeding the peripheral velocity (V2) of thedrive wheels (21).
 28. A machine as claimed in claim 22, characterisedin that the presser element (37) has a sealing device (38), to seal thesmall strip (9) on the strip (13).
 29. A machine as claimed in claim 22,characterised in that the small strip (9) has an adhesive surface; thepresser assembly (36) determining the union of the adhesive surface ofthe small strip (9) to the strip (13).
 30. A machine as claimed in claim22, characterised in that the pre-cutting assembly (40) comprises atleast a cutter (41) orthogonal to the direction of advance (P) of thestrip and movable between a position of separation from the supportassembly (30) and a position of approach to the support assembly (30),to obtain the pre-cut line (6) on the strip (13); the presser assembly(36) being set side by side and integral with the pre-cutting assembly(40) in the movement of approach to the support assembly (30) and ofseparation from the support assembly (30).